“I have opinions on a lot of things,” says breathy singer/songwriter/guitarist NATALIE FLANAGAN. “I can get on a soapbox and start in on art and Americana and the over-sexualization of everything. ‘Sexy Singers’ addresses that.” She’s talking about a song, but that’s also the title of her new CD, her second collaboration with producer David Minehan. Her idea was to make the seven-song disc in the Rolling Stones/Tom Petty vein — gritty rock and roll with a country twang. The disc’s themes include God, booze, love, and war. “It seems all my favorite music talks about those things. A lot of this is personal, but not private: they’re songs that keep people company.” Flanagan and her backing quintet celebrate the release of Sexy Singers (One Way Productions) July 17 at the Plough & Stars. . . . SKYBAR will be shutting its doors after a show featuring many of booker Anderson Lynne Mar’s favorite Sunday bands on July 15. Mar says the Somerville club is being forced to close because it lacks the funds to install a $40,000 sprinkler system. The celebration starts at noon and goes past midnight. . . . In other club news: JEFF MARSHALL has left his post as director of music and marketing at the Paradise Rock Club and Lounge. He is now VP of programming with Hobnox USA, a new media/entertainment company helmed by former Lycos CEO Alfred Tolles. TOM BATES, Live Nation’s production director, has moved from the Tweeter Center over to the TD Banknorth Garden and Fenway Park. Production manager TIM MCKENNA has taken over Tweeter, but he’ll continue to oversee both the Paradise and Avalon. Stage manager BILLY BUD’s duties will increase at the ’dise.

AFTER IMAGES | May 28, 2010 Karen Finley won’t be naked, or covered in chocolate. Candied yams will not be involved. If there are neighborhood morality-watch squads in Salem, they’ll have the night off.

INTERVIEW: SARAH SILVERMAN | April 23, 2010 Recently, “Sarah” — the character played by Sarah Silverman on Comedy Central’s The Sarah Silverman Program — was upset because in today’s world it just wasn’t safe anymore for children to get into strangers’ vans.

TATTOO YOU | April 06, 2010 Dr. Lakra is no more a real doctor than is Dr. Dre or Dr. Demento. The 38-year-old Mexican tattoo artist’s real name is Jerónimo López Ramírez. As for “lakra,” it means “delinquent.” Or so I thought.

INTERVIEW: DAMON WAYANS | February 16, 2010 "Right now, my intent is not to offend. I just want to laugh. I want to suspend reality."